Date published: 2026-06-16 | Category: Heritage
The Roman Baths has become the first cultural institution in the city to be awarded Museum of Sanctuary status, recognising its work in welcoming and supporting refugees and people seeking asylum.
The award, announced during Refugee Week (15-21 June) highlights Bath & North East Somerset Council’s commitment to welcoming refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Presented by City of Sanctuary UK, the award marks a significant milestone for the historic site, which has long welcomed people travelling from near and far since Roman times.
Today, The Roman Baths is building on this legacy by fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for those seeking refuge, regardless of their background or circumstance, and by actively contributing to the City of Sanctuary movement.
Since 2024, The Roman Baths and the council’s resettlement team have developed community-led programme to support refugees, people seeking asylum and other displaced people. Through a wide-ranging programme of engagement, the site has created welcoming opportunities for connection, creativity and support.
Regular social evenings bring adults together through shared meals, and art workshops, while family activity days provide interactive sessions and crafts for all ages. Participants also come together to celebrate cultural and religious festivals such as Eid, Christmas, and Lunar New Year. Increasingly, participants are able to access employment and skills support through work placements.
In addition, free entry to The Roman Baths is available for anyone with refugee status or seeking asylum, helping to remove barriers to accessing culture and heritage.
Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Communications and Community, said: “We are incredibly proud that The Roman Baths has been recognised as a Museum of Sanctuary. This award reflects the council’s commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive place for everyone. The Sanctuary Programme shows how culture and heritage can bring people together, helping those who have been forced to leave their homes to build connections, develop skills and feel a real sense of belonging in our community.”
The Museum of Sanctuary award highlights the vital role museums can play in society. As spaces for storytelling, education and shared learning, museums can help foster understanding, celebrate cultural diversity and create a sense of belonging and affirmation for people who may feel marginalised. City of Sanctuary UK is a nationally coordinated network working with organisations across all sectors - including councils, universities, theatres and libraries - to promote inclusivity, compassion and solidarity with refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Celebrating Refugee Week across Bath and North East Somerset
The announcement coincides with Refugee Week (15-21 June), which celebrates the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
To mark the week, The Roman Baths is hosting a special on-site trail (15-21 June) featuring artwork by Quentin Blake from The Simple Acts Campaign, created by Counterpoints Arts for Refugee Week UK. The trail highlights everyday actions people can take to build connections and show solidarity within their communities.
Meanwhile, at Victoria Art Gallery, a collaborative textile artwork created in partnership between the Roman Baths, Bath Welcomes Refugees and the Council's Resettlement Team will be on display. The piece was created during a series of relaxed, inclusive sewing sessions that brought participants together to connect, share experiences and learn from one another. The finished artwork reflects a genuine collective effort and will be exhibited from Tuesday 16 June to Sunday 28 June, with free entry for all visitors.
Find out more
For details on local Refugee Week events and information about the resettlement schemes supporting displaced people in Bath and North East Somerset, visit:
https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/refugee-resettlement-bath-north-east-somerset